Nathaniel Atherton, Primary Principal
08 March 2024
At ICS we are committed to learning.
When I say this, many of you may be picturing students in the classroom. You imagine them working on Mathematics equations, reading a novel or completing a Physics experiment. Some of you may be thinking about learning beyond traditional academics envisioning students developing social skills or developing the skills of self-direction. Others might have imagined students developing an ethical world view or learning about sustainability.
While that’s all true and important, learning doesn’t stop with the students. Perhaps my earlier statement should have been: 'At ICS, we are a committed learning community.’
You see, the adults are learning too.
As educators, our faculty are constantly striving to improve through reflective practices, coaching sessions, goal setting and professional development. As a school this year, our faculty have attended over 200 courses, workshops and conferences.
Parents are likewise keen to learn too, and this year the school has been proactive in providing more opportunities to come in and learn. In Secondary, the previously mentioned grade-level coffee mornings have been insightful. Our whole school counselling team has likewise had huge success with a recent Wise Words Workshop Series.
The Counseling Department’s next Wise Words Workshop for Parents is on Friday 17 May from 8:30 – 10:00 in the Treffpunkt. They will be discussing research and wisdom from the text The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did) by psychotherapist Philippa Perry. Register for the event here.
In Primary, we have completed two of a series of four focused Parents as Learners Workshops. In January, our counsellor Michelle Bradley, and Deputy Principal Janice Boucher hosted a powerful workshop on Relationships for Upper Primary students. In February, our PYP Coordinator Claire Febrey, and Kindergarten 2 teacher Helen Binks hosted a hands-on workshop about Early Literacy Development for our Preschool and Grade 1 families.
In March, we have a workshop scheduled for Preschool parents on Developing Self-Regulation in Young Children. In April, we will be running a workshop Mastering Maths with CBI: Concept-Based Inquiry, in which parents will learn about our approach while getting a chance to see the learning in action in our classrooms. (Due to high levels of interest there has been a date and location shift for this event, now scheduled for Tuesday 30 April in the Main Hall).
A learning-focused adult community is vital to our students' success. To quote renowned Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky, “Children grow into the intellectual life of those around them.” Thus, our insatiable desire to learn can be passed along to the students in our care.
We hope to see you at upcoming opportunities to learn together.
Kind regards,
Nathaniel Atherton
Primary Principal